How Many Students are Selected for NID Mains 2026?

How Many Students are Selected for NID Mains 2026?

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NID DAT Result Date:07 Apr' 26 - 07 Apr' 26

Achyuth NambiarUpdated on 21 Dec 2025, 11:01 AM IST

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) in two stages: the Prelims and Mains. All registered candidates first appear for the DAT Prelims, which serves as a screening round. Based on their performance in the Prelims, a limited number of candidates are shortlisted for the DAT Mains, which includes a studio test and a personal interview. The NID DAT Prelims entrance exam will be conducted on December 21, 2025. Candidates will be selected for the DAT Mains based on the potential mark cut-off for the DAT Prelims. Candidates can check out the expected NID DAT result for the Prelims round down below.

This Story also Contains

  1. How Many Candidates Are Shortlisted for NID Mains?
  2. Role of DAT Prelims in Mains Qualification
  3. Factors Affecting NID Mains Shortlisting
  4. How Many Students are Selected for DAT Mains?
How Many Students are Selected for NID Mains 2026?
How Many Students are Selected for NID Mains 2026?

Read the article below, to know how many candidates will be selected for NID Mains 2026, and the potential marks they need to score to be selected for NID Mains 2026.
Also read- How many students appeared for NID DAT?

How Many Candidates Are Shortlisted for NID Mains?

The number of candidates selected for NID DAT Mains 2026 is not fixed and varies every year. Typically, NID shortlists multiple times the number of available seats for the Mains stage. According to the Information Brochure for the 2026 round a number of candidates 1.5 times the number of available seats will be chosen for the Mains Round.

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Role of DAT Prelims in Mains Qualification

The DAT Prelims plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for NID Mains. While Prelims scores are used only for shortlisting and do not carry weightage in the final merit list, candidates must secure a qualifying score or rank to be considered for the Mains stage. Changes in the NID selection process may influence cutoff trends and shortlisting numbers. In the meantime candidates can check out the table below for a reference for the DAT Prelims score.

NID 2026 Prelims Expected Cut-off

Category

Tentative Marks Based on Prior NID Cut-offs

Open

56-60

OBC - NCL

40-44

EWS

48-52

ST

42-44

SC

27-30

PwD

8-10

Overseas

22-25

Factors Affecting NID Mains Shortlisting

Several factors influence how many students are selected for NID Mains each year. These include the total number of applicants, difficulty level of the Prelims exam, seat intake across NID campuses, and category-wise reservations. Due to these variables, the exact number of shortlisted candidates for NID Mains 2026 will be confirmed only after the Prelims results are declared.

How Many Students are Selected for DAT Mains?

The National Institute of Design has notified in its admission handbook that approximately candidates numbering 1.5 times the number of seats will qualify for the NID Mains. The table below provides the details for how many candidates were selected for NID B.Des mains in the previous year.

Total Number of Students Selected for NID DAT 2025 BDes Mains

Category

Rank Starts

Rank Ends

Score Cut-off for Each Category

General

1

193

59

General EWS

1

134

46

OBC

1

204

51

SC

1

176

46

ST

1

110

38

PWD

1

67

19

Overseas

1

106

22.5

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the factors affecting how many candidates are selected for Mains?
A:

These include the total number of applicants, difficulty level of the Prelims exam, seat intake across NID campuses, and category-wise reservations.

Q: What is the cutoff score for DAT Prelims?
A:

Candidates in General Category need to score between 56-60 for the DAT Prelims entrance exam.

Q: How many candidates are selected for DAT Mains?
A:

The number of candidates selected for DAT Mains are 1.5 times the number of available seats.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

Hello,

Yes, if you are in Class 12, you are eligible to sit for the NID DAT 2026 (BDes) exam. The National Institute of Design allows students who are in their final year of Class 12 or have already passed to apply.

To know more access below mentioned link:

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-admission-2026

Hope it helps.

You can get the NIT DAT SYLLABUS, updated version from careers 360 in detail from careers 360 article. Follow the link given from The link of the syllabus article is given below from careers 360

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-syllabus-2026

Yes you are eligible to appear for NID DAT for the M.Des programme. Since you are in final make sure you will have completed your BA by the required deadline. Also go through the specific specializations you want to apply for, some may require certain specific backgrounds to be eligible to apply for them. You can find more details here design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-eligibility-criteria

Hello,

To prepare for M.des exams like CEED or NID DAT, here are some points which you can follow:

Understand the pattern – focus on creativity, design aptitude, and problem-solving.

Practice sketching daily and improve visualization.

Study basics of color, form, and design concepts.

Solve previous papers and build a strong portfolio.

Stay consistent and observe everyday designs for new ideas.

THANKU.

Hi daksh

As 563 rank in nid dat exam cannot guarantee admission in designing college but it could be a good chance to explore some campus as if you are not from general category as category role plays an important role . But now you can do one thing focus on your strengthening your protofile or preparing for the studio test (bdes) or interview (mdes).

Thanks.